Several major car manufacturers are facing accusations of prioritizing sales over environmental concerns in the ongoing “dieselgate” scandal. Allegations suggest that these companies installed devices in vehicles to manipulate emissions during testing, ensuring compliance with regulations. However, outside of testing conditions, the vehicles are said to emit significantly higher levels of harmful pollutants.
The High Court is currently presiding over a trial, anticipated to span three months, marking the largest legal action of its kind in English history. The case, valued at approximately £6 billion by lawyers, involves 1.6 million claimants who claim that the manufacturers engaged in fraudulent practices related to diesel emissions tests.
Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Nissan, Renault, Peugeot, and Citroen, among others, are accused by vehicle owners of utilizing unlawful “defeat devices” to deceive emissions tests. While the manufacturers deny any wrongdoing and disassociate themselves from the 2015 scandal involving Volkswagen, the trial will focus on a select group of diesel vehicles from these companies, with the court’s decision potentially impacting numerous similar claims against other manufacturers.
The trial has garnered attention from individuals affected by air pollution, such as Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, whose daughter tragically passed away from an asthma attack linked to pollution exposure. Additionally, car owners like Adam Kamenetzky, who purchased a Mercedes SUV under the belief it was environmentally friendly, have expressed disappointment upon discovering discrepancies in emissions data.
During the trial’s commencement, Thomas De La Mare KC, representing the claimants, highlighted the alleged conscious choice made by the industry to prioritize sales over environmental responsibility. He emphasized the industry’s purported decision to circumvent regulations for the sake of profitability.
The legal battle primarily revolves around harmful nitrogen oxide emissions controlled by emissions control systems. Citing a report linking excess NOx emissions to premature deaths and asthma cases, the claimants seek accountability from the manufacturers for their role in contributing to air pollution-related health issues.
Despite manufacturers like Renault and Ford rejecting the claims and asserting the absence of defeat devices in their vehicles, the trial is expected to continue until December, with final legal arguments scheduled for March 2026. Lawyers representing the claimants view the allegations as a severe breach of corporate trust and anticipate significant implications if proven true.
This legal dispute follows previous rulings against VW in 2020 over defeat devices, with the company settling claims without admitting liability in 2022.
